http://gty.im/456704490
Rex, pending some last minute meteor will be the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. After having a second interview with the Pegulas, Rex decided to take the job. I’m pretty excited, though I know some of my brethren are not. The Pegulas going out and hiring the best coach available is also not lost on me. I’ll be happy to show you in a few days how Xs and Os wise this won’t be as big a deal as some will make, but I can give you a reaction to a few of the media reports and my own opinion on the situation:
Rex Ryan’s five-year deal with the Bills will be for $27.5 million, per source.
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) January 11, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“Rex is leaving a team that forgot how to be competent to a team just figuring it out.”
— Dubs, Esq. (@theycallmedubs) January 11, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Told despite different def philosophy, Ryan would be OK w keeping Schwartz as DC bc he “wants to win.” Who’s running D “doesn’t matter.”
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) January 11, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Rex Ryan wants to bring the majority of his defensive staff with him to Buffalo, including defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman. #nyj — Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) January 11, 2015
With the choice of Marc Trestman or Greg Roman, the plan is for Rex Ryan to bring in Roman, the former #49ers OC, I’m told. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The #Bills have “every intention” of keeping DC Jim Schwartz, just told by high-ranking team source.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) January 11, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
So, given these, my thoughts:
- Roman coming in will further remove any issues between coaching staff and front office. Running a power West Coast Offense with the line currently on the roster is a lot easier than say re-doing the offensive line to run a Shanahan-style zone blocking scheme.
- So, not only is the man getting PAID, he’s got 5 years to get his right. That takes a lot of pressure off of Rex to get the QB situation right in year one. That also gets the “no first rounder” to the back-burner, which helps out the front office after the PR they’d received the last few weeks regarding the Sammy Trade.
- Schwartz staying or not is ehh to me. I like Schwartz, but since Rex has a 5 year contract, I’d rather he get his system (back?) in, rather than just hang on to Jim because he did well this season.
- My boy Dubs nailed one of the bigger points of the Ryan hire. The Bills as a team are trying to gain respect lost over the last 15 years. Love him or hate him, Ryan is a guy that will not allow his teams to bow to anyone and to earn that respect.
- For the first time in a while, going up against the Pats and Jets gets me fired up. Ryan won’t back down and won’t let those players back down either.
- Do not underestimate the power of Jimmy Sexton, super agent. Ryan, Marrone, Schwartz and Pettine (amongst a ton of others) have Sexton as their rep. So, if he can do a solid and survive a year working w/Schwartz to help out a “Rep Bro”.
- To the “circus” folk who complain that Ryan will bring ridicule – let’s be real a second. Some teams (Bills, Jets, Browns) are in a situation where no matter what they do, they are going to do the wrong thing. The Bills have less of the shine on them compared to the NYC media, but what’s going to be a circus – trying to get a QB? Trying to break the drought of 15 years? Having Rex try to prove he still has it? If you’re going to complain I won’t stop you, but don’t assume Rex = circus.
Thoughts? Agree/Disagree? Hit me up @RDotDeuce. #1FO
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!